H
osting a children's Easter party should be fun and easy. So what's there to do besides hiding some eggs? In fact, young guests (and their parents) will have a better time if you tailor the festivities to their ages. "You don't want the little kids getting lost in the shuffle or the older ones getting boredgiving the day some structure allows everyone to participate," says Leesa Zelken of Send in the Clowns, a children's party company based in Los Angeles.

With help from Zelken as well as entertaining experts Amy Atlas, Linda Kaye, Xiomara Roman, and Gwynn Wasson, we've put together a complete guide to planning and executing a lively and manageable Easter egg hunt for kids of all ages in your home or backyard. Read on for tips on what kind of eggs to use and where to hide them, plus creative ideas for prizes, food, and decor.

Brooklyn-based writer Lexi Dwyer is a frequent Epicurious contributor and a former travel editor for BRIDES magazine. Her work has also appeared on Gourmet Live, BonAppetit.com, iVillage, and NYMag.com.